Palmview powers past New Braunfels, advances to Elite 8

Bryan Ramos | Staff Writer

CORPUS CHRISTI — After dropping Game 1 of their best-of-three regional semifinal playoff series against New Braunfels on Friday, the La Joya Palmview Lobos knew they’d be in for a do-or-die Saturday.

Palmview battled with its back against the wall to win Game 2, 5-1, and Game 3, 9-3, on Saturday at Cabaniss Field in Corpus Christi, as the Lobos live to fight another day.

Palmview advances to the Region IV-5A DI Final for the first time in program history. The Lobos will face Smithson Valley in next week’s regional final matchup. Game details are to be determined.

The Lobos turned 12 hits and six walks into nine runs in Game 3 against the Unicorns.

Jaxzel Cantu had two RBI to lead the Lobos. Adrian Garza finished 3-for-5 with two runs and one RBI, while Jorge Garza and Joseph Martinez both finished with two hits apiece.

Freshman starting pitcher Osi Lopez pitched a complete game and allowed three runs, all unearned, with three hits, six strikeouts and two walks.

In Game 2 earlier in the day, Palmview starting pitcher Mateo Garcia shut down New Braunfels and allowed one run off four hits with three walks and nine strikeouts across seven innings.

Garcia, Jorge Garza, Jaxzel Cantu, Javi Garza and Joseph Martinez drove in the five runs for the Lobos.

The District 30-5A champion Lobos improve to 25-8 overall. Smithson Valley, who Palmview will face in next week’s regional final, is 21-10 overall.

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